Ronald Dellums: “we are now giving the President of the United States, irrespective of party, power far beyond that contemplated by the…”

“we are now giving the President of the United States, irrespective of party, power far beyond that contemplated by the persons who framed the nature of this Government. Far beyond it. But we are going to do this. As I understand the symbolism, we are going to do it by 2 p.m. on Monday, so that you give this legislation as a gift to a former President. Here is the greater danger. Once you do it, Mr. Chairman, it is not going to ever be undone. The American people need to wake up to the reality that this Government is being changed at such an extraordinary, fundamental level that any reasonable thinking human being should be disturbed by what we are about to do. Let me tell you why we will not change it. Two years from now, another group of people will come in here. Suppose someone says, ``My God, we gave the President this enormous power. Let's write a bill to rescind it.'' Do you think any President will give back power once you have given it to that President? They will veto it. And guess what? One-third plus 1 can kill it again. So understand, Members of the Committee you are changing American Government for all time. For all time. Yesterday someone offered an amendment to put a sunset provision in the bill. Let us stop this madness in 5 years if it does not work.…”